On August 26 we marked the 100th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s birth. Two weeks later is the anniversary of her passing and we mourn anew. In Mother Teresa, CRS enjoyed a kindred spirit and an inspirational partner. It would be impossible to measure the impact she had on our agency. But we all have distinct memories of Mother, her courage and compassion, her simple life, her hands joined in prayer, her powerful voice for the poor. If you have a special memory of Mother Teresa, we invite you to share it with us and our readers as a tribute to this remarkable woman and as an encouragement to all of us who still celebrate her life in our thoughts and actions.

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13 Responses to “Share Your Memories of ‘Blessed Teresa’”

Mother came to Concord, MA, around 1989 to visit an inmate at the prison there – she had been corresponding with him. She arrived by helicopter very early on a Saturday morning, and since the prison was right next to my house, I walked down to see her- I had always admired her so much. There was a small group of “fans” to greet her. She was accompanied by our Cardinal and some state police officers. Everyone just stood in awe of her and she came over and greeted everyone, gave each of us a miraculous medal, and signed a portrait that one of the group had painted of her. I must say that everyone was so taken with her that all just ignored the Cardinal and everything else! Definitely one of the most thrilling and moving moment of my life. I met a saint!

Thirteen years ago, I was a Baptist. I was the only evangelical in an interfaith ministry serving patients with AIDS. I was trying to get more people from my megachurch involved, but most couldn’t understand why I would want to be involved in a ministry to (then mostly gay) people in which we weren’t allowed to proselytize. Many Catholics were involved, though, and that intrigued me. Then I read an interview with Mother Teresa. When asked if she wanted to convert those to whom she ministered in her home for the dying, she said she hoped that she would be the light that would lead them to Christ, but in any case she had to minister to them, because that’s what Jesus wants us to do. I took Mother Teresa’s name as my confirmation name when I became a Catholic the following Easter.

She died when I was 15 years old, just when I had taken great interest in what she did for fellow humankind. From her I learn that it is our hopes and dreams that makes life worth persevering;it is our faith and trust in God that genuinely makes us strong;And it is the virtues of patience and endurance that makes us wait extra longer.

About 30 years ago, I met Mother Teresa at the Missionary of Charities convent in the Bronx. She pinned a Miraculous Medal on me, and I continue to wear it, even as I write this, approximately 37 years later.

I was deeply inspired by Mother Teresa’s mission to assist abandoned babies in India. Her missionary group, I believe to this day, continues the work of ministering to sick, dying and abandoned babies. Her work was truly moving, and when I think of charitable, missionary work, she always comes to mind. She will always remain a light in my life, and I hope she will continue to be for others as well.

Around 1983-84 there was a religious conference (can’t remember which) being held at the Kenyatta Conference Center where i worked as a student intern in Nairobi, Kenya. My friend Manzee Kayhura and I were on our way back to work from lunch when Mother Teresa strode towards us. Initially we did not bother her but our need to meet her was so overwhelming that we went to her and welcomed her to Kenya. She greeted us warmly and thanked us for our welcome, and then blessed us. She seemed so small, so fragile, yet we knew that her strength and faith in god enabled her to do such wonderful and powerful things in her aim to help the most downtrodden in India and call attention to the plight of the poor all over the world. As a result of that encounter albeit brief Mother Teresa is always on my mind. She is an exemplar to me of selfless love and humility.

Meadow reminded me of a time I flew to Calcutta to bring home a few of the abandoned babies for adoption in the United States. I am not a Catholic (although my sons are), yet Mother Teresa’s work is a model of service and love to me. For me, the most meaningful action of her life was going through the dark nights of the soul and still maintaining her dedication.

I have this poem hanging in my home. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa, I stop in my hall and read this poem often. This version was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

I wish I had met a Saint like her.With all the times we are living and the recession that people in the world is experiencing,we must never forget some words that she once said…a Country where the most vulnerable (like the unborn babies) are not protected ,is condemned to self destruction…and that is exactly what is happening now with all those bills supporting abortion legally,financially and culturally…as society, we are going backwards.

I LOVE THE POEM ON HER HOLY CARD AND I AM GOING TO TRY TO GET I BLOWN UP FOR A FRAME. SHE WAS THE MOST HUMBLEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. SHE CARED FOR PEOPLE THAT WERE POOR AND HUNGRY. I HOPE TO GET SOME OF HER STAMPS DEDICATED BY THE POST OFFICE. YOU CAN CALL HER AMAZING MOTHER TERESA. THANK YOU BLESSED MOTHER TERESA.

Approximately 35 years ago, Mother Teresa gave the homily during mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Washington DC. She graciously invited people to meet her after mass. I attended the service and decided to meet her. As I approached her, her face appeared transfigured to my eyes and I could only see an angelical face. I was in awe and as I spoke close to her she responded in a soft voice, smiled and signed a leaflet with the words “God Bless You”. I truly felt that I was given the gift of being in the presense of a living saint. The experience was a perfect example of how God works through people. A cherished spiritual encounter!

Mother Teresa gave the commencement address at my graduation from Niagara University in 1982. Her presence was extraordinary and her speech was profoundly simple. Afterwards I felt compelled to take a job in a South Bronx health care facility. The experience was eyeopening and humbling and was the beginning, I believe,of the Lords preparation for me for my further challenges in life. As the parent of special needs children,
I feel very comfortable in my prayer life asking for Mother Teresa’s intercession and encourage everyone to do the same. I am most grateful to those who enabled me have had a personal experience with this extraordinary saint.
I humbly ask for your prayers for my children as well as for all the worlds needs. Together we can all do “something beautiful for God.”

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in 93 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.

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